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Beardsley Takes Positives
Written by Newcastle Utd
A first Reserve goal for Michael Richardson and a second-string debut for Alex Nicholson please Pedro despite defeat
By Dan King
Reserve Team Manager Peter Beardsley looked for the positives after seeing his young side knocked off the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North with a 5-1 defeat to Manchester United.
United, who had previously lost just twice all season, were level on points with Wigan but ahead on goal difference before their trip to Altrincham's Moss Lane. However, the heavy nature of their defeat saw The Latics overtake them.
When asked if he felt the scoreline told the whole story, Beardsley replied: "I hope not. We were well-beaten in the end but after going 2-0 down before half-time, Ole Soderberg saved a penalty and we scored almost immediately afterwards. If we could have got another goal then, it could have been a very different game.
"I think Ole should perhaps have saved their third goal and from then on they've scored twice more, but the scoreline was a bit harsh in my opinion.
"But, as I said to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the game, it was a great way for him to sign off as Manchester United's Reserve team manager. He's a superstar and a lovely man, and I wish him all the success in the world when he goes back to Norway.
"We were without Paul Dummett, Ryan Donaldson and Haris Vuckic, and of course you miss them. And now we have a few weeks without a game, so it'll be a long wait for the lads to put things right."
Although it was a disappointing evening for Newcastle, it was a special evening for Michael Richardson, who scored his first goal at Reserve level, and Alex Nicholson, who made his second-string debut.
Beardsley said: "Jeff Henderson, who to be fair stuck manfully to his task all night, was injured so Alex came on. He's a young defender, a Welsh youth international, who has done very well for the juniors so we thought he deserved his chance with us."